Valve mechanism for flushing-tanks



M. J. FEHNIGER.

VALVE MECHANISM ron FLUSHJNG TANKS.

APPLICATION FILED APR. 25,1917.

Patented Dec. 14, 1920.

1 lentil;

MARTIN J. FEHNIGER, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

VALVE MECHANISM FOR FLUSHING-TANKS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Dec. 14, 1920.

Application filed April 26. 1917. Serial No. 164.671.

T rd? whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, Miinrrx J. FEHNIGER, a citizen of the l nited States, and a resident of the city of Chicago, county of Cook, and State oi Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Valve Mechanism for Flushing-'lanks, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to improvements in valve mechanism for flushing tanks, having special reference to valve mechanism used to control the inlet f water to thetank.

The object of my invention is the production of valve mechanism of the character mentioned, which will be so connected with the flushing tank as to permit of ready removal thereof or ready access being gained to permit of adjustment or renewal of the valve or valve seat.

A further object is the production of valve mechanism, as mentioned, which will be of durable and economical construction andhighly efficient in use.

Other objects will appear hereinafter.

The invention consists in the combinations and arrangements of parts hereinafter described and claimed.

The invention will be best understood by reference to the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification, and in which,

Figure 1 is a partially sectional side elevation of a valve mechanism for flushing tanks, embodying the invention.

Fig. 2 is a sectional side elevation of the upper end portion f Fig. l, and

Fig. 3 is a top plan view of the base member of the device, showing the valve stem in section.

The preferred form of construction as illustrated in the drawings is designed for use in connection with a flushing tank of conventional form. The valve mechanism which is designed to control the inlet of water to the tank comprises a base 6, the upper annular flange-like portion of which is adapted to rest upon the botttom of the tank. Depending from the portion 6 is tubular portion 7 which is adapted to extend through the bottom of the tank, a collar or flange (not shown) being adapted to be threaded thereon to lock the same in position and form a tight joint, as will be readily understood. A water supply pipe (not shown) is adapted for connection with the lower end of pipe 7.

Arising from the base 6 is a pipe it), the lower end of said pipe being threaded into the member 6, as clearly seen in Fig. 1. lcsting loosely upon the member (3 is a valve seat 11 of frustoconical form. The lower end of pipe is formed with an annular inclined shoulder 12 adapted for engagement with the valve seat 11 to hold or lock the" same in operative position, as will be readily understood. By reason of the conical form of said valve seat, it is of course apparent that in assembling the parts, said valve seat will automatically find its proper central position when the lower end of pipe 10 moves downwardly into engagement therewith. A suitable packing l3 is provided to prevent leakage.

Coiiperating with the valve seat 11 is a valve 14 of rubber or other suitable material which is carried in a metallic holder 15, substantially cup-shaped in form, as seen. The said valve and holder are carried by a stem 16 arranged axially in pipe 10, said holder being in threaded connection with said stem, and the same being locked in positions of adjustment thereon by means of a nut 17 and a coiiperating metallic disk or washer 18. Upon removal of the nut- 17, it is of courseapparent that the valve parts 14 and may be readily unscrewed from the stem 16 and removed from the lower end thereof. The facility with which said valve parts may be removed is of advantage in renewing the valve 14 after the same has become worn or otherwise disabled. The lower end of stem 16 is reduced and engages loosely in a guide 19 which is formed in the upper end portion of base 6.

The upper end of pipe 10 is closed by a plug 20 through which the stem 16 projects, suitable packing 21 being provided surrounding said stem to prevent leakage. Provided at the upper end of said stem is an end piece formed with an elongated slot which extends entirely therethrough intermediate the ends of said end piece.

The valve is automatically operated through the medium of a float (not shown), the stem 25 of which is provided with an end piece 26 which is pivotally connected with a bifurcated post or arm 27 arising from the upper end of pipe 10, by means of a removable thumb screw 28. The end of member 26 is rounded and engages loosely in the slot 23 of end piece 22, the arrangement being such that the tilting of stem 25, that is raising and lowering of the float, will efl'ect vertical reciprocation of stem lb and hence of the valve 14. The rise and fall of the float, as determined by the level of the water in the tank, of course automatically controls closing and opening of the valve, as will be readily understood by those skilled in the art.

The water admitted to the lower end of the pipe 10 passes therefrom into the tank through a laterally opening passage 29 provided adjacent the lower end of said pipe, as seen in Fi 1. Leading from the upper end portion oi. pipe 10 is an after-fill pipe 30 which when the device is in use, discharges into an overflow pipe (not shown) in the ordinary manner. The pipe 30 is detachably connected with the ipe 10 by means of a union 32, as seen in ig. 2.

The arrangement is such, as will be seen, that the pipe 10 may be readily and easily detached from the base 6 to permit of access being gained to the valve and valve seat, by simply detaching the float stem through removal of the screw 28 and detaching the after-fill pipe 30 by manipulation of union 332. \Vhen these parts have been disconnect ed, the pipe 10 may of course be readily unscrewed, and when disconnected from the base 6, the valve and valve seat, as will be seen, will be exposed for renewal, repair or adjustment. After the pipe 10 has been replaced, the connection of the float stem and after-fill pipe may of course be readily and expeditiously effected. The arrangement presented, it will be seen, permits of adjustment, repair or renewal of the valve or valve seat without disconnection of the supply pipe from the flushing tank, which, as is 1 ,se2,24e

known by those skilled in the art, is highly advantageous, inasmuch as considerable time and trouble is saved.

\Vhile I have illustrated and described the preferred form of construction for carrying my invention into effect, this is capable of variation and modification without departing from the spirit of the invention. I, therefore, do not wish to be limited to the precise details of construction set forth, but desire to avail myself of such variations and modifications as come Within the scope of the appended claim.

Having described my invention what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

in a device of the class described, a valve mechanism adapted to be secured to a flushing tank and comprising a tubular base; a pipe detachably secured to and arising from said base; an annular valve Seat having a flat under side resting freely 011 said base and having a comically formed upper side, said pipe, when in operative position, engaging with said conically formed upper side of said valve seat to hold the latter in operative position, said valve seat being of a diameter less than the interior diameter of the sur rounding portion of said base; and a valve movablv mounted in said pipe for cooperation with said seat, substantially as described.

in testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

MARTIN J. FEHNIGER. Witnesses JOSHUA 1%. ll. lo'ris. HELEN F. LILLIs.

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